Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-11-03
A FEMALE ROAD-AGENT.
The Mystery Of Eagle Bar, and
How It Was Solved.

How 1t was solved.
In the early days of Eagle Bar that
camp was much troubled by we'll
organized band of road-agents. There
were seven of the highwaymen, and
they had way of dropping down on
travellers and stages when they were
least expected. 1t was said that their
leader was woman, and, indeed,
many times while on their raids. a fe-
male figure had been seen with them.
She was always dressed in deep black.
rode black horse, and wore battling
veil over her face.
AS time wore on the robberles be-
came more bold and frequent, till at
last the citizens of Eagle Bar became
exasperated, and decided to ''do some
thing" at once. An Indignation meet
ing was called, and the miners assem-
bled to see what could be done.
Davis ClaXton, rather understood
man of not more than thirty, but 4
person who was very popular in the
camp, made a speech that was listened
to attentively by the rough gathering.
In clear-cut, comprehensive language
he defined the position of the camp.
and concluded by advising them to or
ganize a systematic warfare against
the strange female robber and her gang
OF followers.
HIS speech was applauded. Others
spoke briefly. The result of the meet
ing was that vigilance committee was
organized and Davis Claxton was
chosen rs its chief. 1t was decided to
offer a reward of five hundred dollars
for the capture of the female robber
alive. Claxton induced them to do
this, for. he said, if they offered the re-
ward for the capture of the woman
road-agent dead or alive, and she was
killed, the camp would lose the salts
faction of dealing out justice to her
Such an argument from such man
found favor with the men of Eagle Bar
Under the instructions of the newly
organized vigilance committee, parties
were at once sent out to search for the
outlaws stronghold. 1t was thought
that the robbers must have a retreat
some where near Eagle Bar.
For some days the excitement was
kept at high pitch. but as nothing
was heard of the road-agents during
this time, the miners ardor soon began
TO cool.
One day the regular stage brought a
stranger to Eagle Bar. The newcomer
was small. wiry, smooth-faced man.
who registered at the western STAR
hotel as Duke Randall. New York. ~
Mr.. Randall appeared to be very
quiet man, but although he seldom
spoke, he was always wide awake to
what was transpiring around him. for
his sharp, piercing eyes were seldom
Mt rest.
The stranger had not been in camp
long before he espied the notice of re-
ward offered for the capture of the fe-
male road-agent He read it carefully.
and by keeping his eyes open. soon
learned many of the particulars con-
corning the robberies.
About the time that the New Yorker
appeared in Eagle Bar. Davis Claxton
suddenly and mysteriously disap-
peared. For day or two the disap-
pearance of the chief of the vigilance
committee caused no comment or
alarm. but as time passed and nothing
was seen or heard of Claxton. the citi.
zeDs began to be alarmed. They in
stituted search and inquiry, but the
missing man could not be found. nor
could any thing be learned of his
whereabouts. As may be surmised,
this mysterious disappearance caused
great excitement in the camp. A meet
ing of the vigilance committee was
called at'once.
As they sat IN so lep,n conclave, this
august body decided that it was evil
dent that their chief had been waylaid
and either captured or killed by his
enemies, the road-agents Tlcy also
decided that some movement much
stronger and more determined than